By Emily Stonehouse
It’s been a hotly discussed topic at Dysart council, but questions around an amendment to the zoning bylaw that would allow for additional dwelling units (ADUs) to be used as short term rentals (STRs) has come to an end.
“Staff questioned whether the proposal is good planning,” opened Jeff Iles, director of planning for Dysart during their regular meeting of council on June 23, “and whether this benefits the community as a whole.”
In March of 2025, staff were directed to bring forward a proposed amendment that would allow ADUs to be used as STRs on Dysart properties. Section 3.1 of the zoning bylaw indicates that additional units cannot be used for the purposes of rentals, and at the time, Dysart council requested that staff change those regulations.
Yet, through careful consideration, staff have made the recommendation to deny the proposed bylaw, and direct interested property owners to a property specific zoning bylaw amendment.
According to Iles, dwelling units refer specifically to a home or a residence on-site. “Staff question whether an ADU, being solely used for short term purposes, is a home or a residence of a family,” he said.
Generally, an STR is a property used for 28 days or less. It was noted that neighbouring municipality, Algonquin Highlands, do permit ADUs to be used as STRs in rural areas, but not in settlement or waterfront areas.
Minden Hills does not permit the units to be used for rentals, with the intention of the spaces to be used as housing as opposed to recreational properties. Highlands East follows suit.
Iles noted that in 2019, the province broadened regulations around ADUs in an effort to expand availability for full-time housing, making additional units more readily available for those in need.
The flags of concern were raised when it came to changing these ADUs to include an STR option, as it could limit the number of dwellings available for permanent rental purposes, therefore going against the priorities laid out by council when it comes to prioritizing housing in the area.
In an effort to garner awareness around the topic, the bylaw department conducted two surveys in relation to short term rentals, aimed towards members of the public, as well as owners of short-term rentals. One of the questions asked was if ADUs should be used as short term rentals. In the public survey, 23 per cent are in favour of using the additional units as rental properties, with 73 per cent opposed.
The short term rental owner survey showed drastically different results, with 49 per cent in favour of ADUs being used as STRs, and 41 per cent not in favour.
“Based on that consultation and the public input, the proposed amendment does not appear to be desired,” said Iles. “And it doesn’t appear to benefit the greater public good, in staff’s opinion … Council may wish to consider whether a property specific zoning bylaw amendment would be a more appropriate solution in these cases as opposed to an overall policy change that would jeopardize rental and affordable housing in the municipality.”
It is for these reasons that staff made the suggestion to deny the bylaw.
Councillor Pat Casey questioned the locations of the survey respondents, noting that he personally does not support ADUs used as rental units on lakes, but is open to the idea of the additional units being used for rentals in residential areas. “Any housing is good housing in this market,” he said. “If we can add more housing, even if it’s short term, two weeks, two months, five months, it helps.”
Iles confirmed that if residents are seeking individual amendments to the bylaw, the process would take four months to complete the approval, with a minor zoning bylaw amendment application is $1,500. At this time, ADUs are not allowed on lakefront properties at all.
As per staff recommendation, the bylaw was denied. Councillors Pat Casey and Carm Sawyer did not vote in support of the denial.
